Networks

Question

Offline Files in Windows 2003 Server

We have been using Windows 2003 Server (with only 5 computers in the domain) for a while, about a year now.. with no problems.. until we recently added 3 new dell laptops to the domain.. and the problems started. We keep getting this balloon messages "Offline Files - Working offline, You are no longer connected to 'OurServer') and the shared folders keep disappearing... Anyone know what the problem is?

All Answers

Me, too...

I get the same issue for some HP laptop users who work through a VPN. I note when they sync their files, the connection comes back, and while "dropped" they are still on the VPN, but the directory mappings go dumb, and don't see all the files they should. I, too, am interested in anything anybody has to say of how to solve this.

But I want offline files...

My goal is to get it to work, not to disable the use of it. The users I have are on the road, and sometimes can't connect - they want their files available on or off line. Disabling Offline files is not a viable option.

It is a requirement

The industry is one where the files potentially have confidental information must be protected. To accomplish this, along with the user's need to have files available when they can't connect, we use offline files and encrypt them on the laptops and require dual authentication (biometric and strong passwords). It is also a requirement to limit what they can do to change their own configurations. If I could simply force them to be domain clients, period, I would. The settings are configured via the GPO, including redirecting their home directory to a network share, but with some allowance to choose exactly how and when they sync.

In my case problem solved by increasing licenses

I realized that the LicenseService (License Logging) was not started on the Windows Server 2003 that shares the files. After starting it, I added licenses according to purchased MS Windows Server CALs for that Windows domain (licensing per device or per user):

Working with workarounds, and understanding the limits

We are working effectively with just some understanding on the part of the enduser, and their being mindful to watch the folders. I found the disappearing folders and "no longer online" problem documented (can't remember where right now) and seems to be a Microsoft limitation. Forcing a sync brings it back, and is easy enough for the enduser to do. We have had some issues where folders simply would not create as synced folders, even within the synced structure, and workaround that by recreating them, and making sure they show as synced.

Offline Folder issues resolve

I have been having the same problems with offline folders going offline and then all shares from that server disappearing when the server went "offline" even though it was still working perfectly fine. We recently discovered and resolved a problem with the reverse DNS entries. The problems I was having do not occur now. I have been working several weeks now with no issues.

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